It's All about the Journey; Handbound books, Rubber Stamping, Paper Crafting and Tutorials. Where will your crafting journey take you?

My First Tote Bag

This is still a paper crafting blog HONEST!!! More paper crafting will appear very soon.

In the meantime I would like to share a picture of my first Tote bag.

My First Tote Bag

This was created from off cuts from a pair of curtains 😉 Now that’s what I call recycling! I followed a blend of instructions between Debbie Shaw’s Sew What DVD and Sew What Bags 😉 the box stitch to secure the handles was described in the Sew What Bags book and looks robust.

The great thing about making your own bag especially like this, without a pattern, is that you have complete control of the design. I wanted nice wide straps for the handles, so they didn’t dig into my shoulder. The handle length suits me just right. I didn’t have any blue cotton at the time, so the white thread wasn’t ideal. To be honest this was just a practice bag, to learn the techniques, but it turned out much better than I expected.

Maybe a series of these will become gifts for family and friends in later years, once I’ve had more practice.

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6 Responses

I think this is so cute Billie! What a wonderful sewing job, sure this was your first one? LOL! Seriously, this is really nice, and I love the color. The length looks perfect, I like them long enough for the bag to tuck under my arm, not too tight. And it looks as if you can get quite a bit in it also. These would make great gifts.

Thanks 🙂 It was quite simple to make. I’m battling my way through another one now. Made it more tricky by adding a lining!

Did a daft thing, carefully sewed the lining in place then realised the lining was inside out!!!! grrr and DOH at the same time. Unpicked it and resewed it in the right way round. Just got the handles to attach, but resting today as neck is playing up.

The look nice lined, definately think these will become gifts for future Christmas projects.

Excellent tote! Just like Elaine above, I’m also wondering if that really is your first one. My paper crafting blog is turning into a knitting blog if I’m not careful, so we are in the same boat, Billie 🙂 Anyhow, I like reading your blog regardless of it being sewing, knitting or paper crafting, so just keep them coming.

Thanks 🙂 This is my first one honest, brownies honour 🙂 (That dates me doesn’t it!). Just finished my second one, after a bit of fiddling about its turned out better than I hoped. Will be posting pics soon.

So glad to hear people aren’t minding me going off on a textile/yarn wander from time to time :). I’m such a bumble bee crafter. I get all excited about something, then find something else that takes my eye. At least the things I’ve been doing lately seem to work with earlier crafts 🙂 The sewing will be put to good use in the future to make presentation bags for special books. Once I’ve had a lot more practice that is 😉

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